Suu Kyi disappointed over Myanmar being called Burma

Sydney: Pro-democracy crusader Aung San Suu Kyi has expressed disappointment that governments were calling her country Myanmar, a name chosen by its military rulers, rather than Burma.

“I shall always refer to this country as Burma, until the Burmese people decide what they want it to be called,” the opposition leader said after meeting the New Zealand Prime Minister, John Key, in the capital Naypyidaw.

According to the Sydney Morning Herald, the Australian and New Zealand governments recently officially recognised the name Myanmar as the country continues democratic reforms after decades of military rule.

But Suu Kyi, who had spent about 15 years under house arrest in her struggle for democracy, says Burma`s transition is far from complete.

“The outside world has been very supportive and I think now they need to be a little bit more careful about how they support us,” the paper quoted her, as saying.

“What we want is people-centred aid, rather than government-centred help,” she added.